The buzzer ignited the excitement in my veins for many years. I grew up watching TVJ Schools' Challenge Quiz and I saw it as a means of once again unifying the nation through friendly rivalry. As the years rolled by things started to change and the blatant favouritism could be seen coming from our television screens. The power of some of the more prominent high schools would allow them to end up in the winning circle. Apart from the fun element turning into some what of a war each year, what has changed drastically is the awarding of the various prizes at the end. Throughout the years we could expect to see students from some of the participating schools coming forward to collect their various prizes at the end of the competition. We looked forward to hearing what the students would be awarded for their hard workout throughout the season. Apparently, this was deemed to be too much of a problem to broadcast so it was eliminated completely. All we see now is the winner collecti

I've always shied away from funerals because I don't ever know exactly how to show my sympathy for those who have lost their loved ones. When I heard about Jordan's funeral I immediately said to myself that I would not attend his funeral due to the sadness that I would have to deal with. However, when I was asked by family members of Jordan to read my poem at his funeral I couldn't say no. I felt like this was a way to show them just how inspirational he was to not just me but the entire Jamaica. In the days leading up to the funeral I was a bit conflicted wondering if I would be able to hold my nerves or whether or not I would be overcome by sadness. When I arrived at the funeral location all sense of nervousness and sadness went away. I saw faces that were simply in awe of the young man who was Jordan Foote, I saw determination in the eyes of his friends but sadness of course lingered closely by. For anyone who went to pay their final respects to Jordan it was a

Tribute to  Jordan Foote By:Saccheen Laing He sits on  the sidelines With determination in his eyes Wanting to touch the ball once more and lift his team to victory His mind is fixed on the ball but his body is failing In the midst of his pain his eyes remain on the ball Skillfully maneuvering the obstacles he flashes a bright smile “I will be back on the pitch in a little while” Cancer clouds tried to block his vision But even when he lost his most valuable tool he still would sit on the pitch  with eyes fixed on the ball I remember being motivated as he took over my television screen The odds against him he still had the will to win The entire nation stood behind  him and cheered him on The clouds grew thicker and cancer would claim the one who captivated us all Even as his eyes have closed his soul is still fixed on the ball Jordan is an inspiration to us all! His body has failed him but his soul is still here to remind us To never give up an

Is there someone out there who can stand up proudly and day that they have never once felt like giving up on life? If you are one such person I applaud you for never feeling defeated and like you were placed on this earth to continually feel pain.  Have you ever took a moment to drown yourself in your sorrows and reflect on the sacrifices that you've made in life and how people look at you like you've never done a thing for them? How about falling deeply in love with someone and they get up one day and walk away from you simply because they feel like it? This world is a beautiful place but it's filled with a lot of dirty people dressed in clean clothes and attractive bodies. The concept of perfection has moved away from just looks to people looking for absolute perfection in a partner. Nothing is wrong with having standards but ask yourself if what you are demanding someone else to have you can attain yourself. If you can't why would you think it would be so easy

Happy International Women’s Day By: ©  Saccheen Laing She is beautiful! There is beauty in her smile but there is depth in her soul She energizes the world with her thoughtfulness and brings life to it She is abused and neglected but still she cares for the world She loves hard and gives of her best to the world She beautifies the world and adds droplets of her love to water hatred in the world She is self-conscious and she is enticed by your compliments She is filled with wisdom and she imparts it as she feeds the mind of her child She is strong as she still gives of her best to her often ungrateful children She is hurting but she still beautifies her frame and appears confident to the world She is mesmerizing as you never know what she will come with next She is powerful and the world depends on her to build the foundation She is sexy and she sway her hips to the left and to the right demanding that your eyes be fixed upon them She is angry because th

Growing up many of us were told that our natural crowns weren't beautiful. From a very young age many of us were told to idolize those deemed to have 'pretty hair'. When I speak about natural crown I don't speak about just our beautiful natural hair but our natural way of thinking. It is important to be proud of how we were naturally created by our maker but it is even more important to be proud of our natural way of thinking and to strive to not be corrupted by what society believes to be acceptable. I want to appeal to my young queens that they should never alter their souls to fit in with the norms of society. My queens, be proud of what makes you different and be proud of the natural you. Those who see the beauty in the natural you appreciate them and those that don't simply ignore them and continue on the natural path. We should never have to apologize or change how we were naturally created because we were created for that purpose and we are all naturally beau

The election process is over and now it's time t move forward with our country. Some perhaps are disappointed with the results while others are overflowing with joy. What matters most is what happens now after the results. As a nation we need to put aside all the arguments and unkind words used during the election process and come together for the betterment of our nation. The most important lesson that I took away from this election is to always remain humble. Never ever exalt yourself into thinking that you are above anyone because life will bring you down in the worse of ways. Let us get up and get out and do the very best we can for our beautiful country.